Santa Monica CERT

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

What is CERT?

CERT is a community based group of volunteers that have completed a federally recognized training course taught by local Public Safety Personnel and First Responders.

The training is a comprehensive program detailing ways to assist family, friends, neighbors, and your community in small or large scale disasters. This training is free, and open to anyone that lives or works in Santa Monica, over the age of 18.

What Will I Learn?

Utilizing basic CERT training, students will learn how to prepare for emergencies and be ready to respond to assist the community immediately following incidents of all sizes.

After CERT Completion

Once you've completed the CERT training, your effectiveness and contribution in a disaster depends on you.

Although there is no obligation, CERT was designed to enlist community members as a volunteer resource to assist City officials in a time of need.

With your permission, the Office of Emergency Management will maintain your contact information and contact you for assistance in events. Some examples of when CERT volunteers may be activated include:

• A Citywide emergency or disaster • First Aid and Information Stations at the Los Angeles Marathon • Additionally CERT members may be called on to assist in Public Safety trainings, exercises, and incidents based on need

Staying current on CERT training, maintaining and updating your CERT kit, or volunteering to become a CERT instructor are some of the ways you can really make a difference when the time comes.

Here's a map of where our active CERT volunteers reside in the City of Santa Monica.

CERT 2018

The Office of Emergency Management is offering the next 3-part CERT course:

2. Once your application is received and approved, you must complete a fingerprinting/livescan which will be submitted to the Department of Justice to verify your eligibility. It can take up to 30 days for fingerprint clearance.

3. Once all paperwork is received and complete, you will be notified with the next available date for CERT training.

**Any CERT paperwork hand delivered to the Public Safety Facility should be placed in the white metal OEM Mailbox located on the wall next to the elevator on the second floor.

Disclaimer and Non-Discrimination Policy

The CERT course has an age requirement of 18 years or older.

Each CERT class is limited to 30 participants.

Course spots are reserved on a first come, first served basis and are dependent on the successful completion and approval of your application.

Any applicant with a felony on his/her record will not be considered for the CERT program. Eligibility based on past criminal history will be at the discretion of the Office of Emergency Management.

Santa Monica CERT only conducts non-discriminatory classes. Non-discrimination includes race, religion, gender and group affiliations. The City of Santa Monica does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services and activities.